Instant Pot Artichokes are hands-free and ready in 30 minutes! These pressure cooker artichokes are so game changer, you'll want to cook them more often!
Pressure cooker artichokes are the easiest, hands-free way to steam and serve whole artichokes in under 30 minutes. Never again will you find yourself babysitting them on the stove. Trust me, because of this, you'll find yourself enjoying whole artichokes on the regular.
Why we love to cook artichokes in the Instant Pot
- Steamed artichokes require minimal prep.
- Takes less time than steaming on the stove.
- Pressure cooked Instant Pot artichokes are hands-free!
- They're elegant to serve, yet so easy to make.
- Can be made ahead and enjoyed up to 3 days.
- As a snack or meal component, artichokes contain very little fat, if any, and are loaded with nutrients.
If you need more artichoke recipes, check out these popular appetizers using canned artichokes, including Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip, Artichoke White Bean Dip, and Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip.
Key ingredients
See recipe card below for quantities.
- whole artichokes - in season March - May and September - October
- lemon - you only need ½ lemon to rub on the artichoke tops
- water - plain water
How to cook artichokes in the Instant Pot
Get the full printable recipe below.
Rinse artichokes and cut off some or all of the stem. Then cut ½" to 1" off the pointed top and snip off any pointy leaf ends with kitchen shears. Rub the cut ends with a lemon to prevent browning.
Place artichokes on a trivet in the Instant Pot and add WATER.
Pressure cook on HIGH using the following times:
- 4-6 minutes (small artichokes)
- 8-10 minutes (medium artichokes)
- 13-15 minutes (large artichokes)
Always follow pressure cook cycle with a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Then, open lid to release any remaining steam.
Open the lid and test for doneness by inserting a knife through the center of the artichokes, preferably into the stem. If the knife enters without any force, the artichokes are done. Carefully transfer them out of the pot and allow to cool to room temperature.
How to serve artichokes
Always serve artichokes with dipping sauce, of course (grab ideas in the next section)! How you present them really depends on you. Serve artichokes...
- whole - Serve artichokes whole and let your guests take it apart leaf by leaf.
- halved or quartered - Cut the artichokes down the center from top to stem (to halve them). You can serve them open faced (with the choke in tact) like I've done here, or remove the choke before serving.
- loose leaves - Pull off most of the artichoke leaves and arrange on a serving platter with dipping sauce.
Dipping sauces for steamed artichokes
Garlic aioli (my favorite) - In a mixing bowl, combine ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ½ Lemon (juiced), 2 garlic cloves (minced). Add salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate. Serve next to steamed artichokes as a dipping sauce.
Garlic butter - combine ¼ cup butter and 1 chopped garlic clove in a small pot. Heat over medium until melted and fragrant.
Herbed yogurt sauce - In a mixing bowl, combine ½ cup yogurt, 1 Tbsp Olive Oil, and 2 Tbsp any combination of chopped fresh herbs (oregano, chives, parsley, etc). Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pressure cooker artichokes recipe tips
- buying artichokes - Whole, fresh artichokes can be available all year. Check your produce department, even during winter, because they're often shipped from California to most states.
- equipment - I use my 6 quart Instant Pot for this recipe. If you use an 8 or 10 quart cooker, add an extra cup of water because it's required for the larger volume pot.
- removing the choke - If you prefer to remove the choke before serving, simply dig it out with a spoon after the artichokes have cooked and discard the choke.
More Instant Pot recipes to love
Certain ingredients like whole artichokes are so compatible with the Instant Pot because pressure cooking them takes a fraction of cooking time compared to stove/oven methods. Here are more Instant Pot recipes that everyone should have in their collection for that very reason.
- Instant Pot Beets
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- How To Cook Dried Chickpeas for Homemade Hummus
- Instant Pot Black Beans
Instant Pot Artichokes
INGREDIENTS
- 1-4 whole Fresh Artichokes, rinsed
- 1 cup Water
- ½ Lemon, optional
Instructions
- To prep artichokes: Rinse whole artichokes. Cut off all but 1 inch of the stem and cut ½ to 1 inch off the artichoke's pointed top. Snip off any pointy leaf ends with kitchen shears and (optional) rub the cut ends with the cut side of a lemon.
- Add to the pot: Place artichokes on a trivet in the Instant Pot and add WATER.
- Pressure cook: Close lid, turn valve to sealing, and pressure cook on HIGH using the following guide:4-6 minutes (small artichokes)8-12 minutes (medium artichokes)13-18 minutes (large artichokes)Since pressure cookers vary, I used time spans instead of specific times, so you can start on the low end and add more time, if needed.
- Natural pressure release: Once the pressure cook cycle is complete, let the pot sit undisturbed for a 10 minute natural pressure release (NPR).Carefully turn pressure release valve to "Venting" to release any remaining steam. Open the lid.
- Test for doneness: Artichokes are done when the heart can be easily pierced with a knife and leaves are easily pulled off. If they need more time, pressure cook for 1 minute followed by another 10 minute natural release. Note: it's very easy to overcook artichokes, so remember, it's always better to course correct an undercooked artichoke than get stuck with overcooked artichokes.
- Remove from pot: Carefully transfer artichokes out of the pot and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare to serve: Cut the artichoke in half or quarters and (optional) remove the fuzzy "choke" center.
- Serve: Scatter lemon wedges and serve with garlic aioli or melted garlic butter as a dipping sauce.
Storage instructions
- Allow artichokes to cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Serve chilled or warmed.
Traci's Recipe Notes
- whole - Serve the artichoke whole and let your guests take it apart leaf by leaf.
- halved or quartered - Cut the artichokes down the center from top to stem (to halve them), or cut each half into quarters.
- open-faced, with or without the choke removed.
- loose leaves - Pull off most of the artichoke leaves and arrange on a serving platter with dipping sauce.
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Jeff says
I could eat Instant Pot artichokes for days and never get tired of them. I love them with your garlic aioli recipe. So easy, can't cook them any other way.